Tag Archives: Guatemala

Antigua Street Photography

Susan’s Photo Journal – Antigua Street Photography

Antigua Street Photography

Every morning I have to hoof it to make it to Spanish class on time. Ira and I start classes at 8 am, a fifteen minute walk from our homestay in Antigua, Guatemala. But our host, William, always makes us an amazing, sit down breakfast that is too good to rush through. I love the sights and sounds of our walk to school and I am determined to photograph it. However, we have two problems – we are always running late, and the cobblestone streets are so uneven I have to stare down the entire time so I don’t turn my ankle. Hence, my version of street photography. I walk quickly through the streets with my camera against my chest facing outward. I pre-set the exposure using a high aperture so I can have a huge depth of field. And I set a high shutter speed so things will be in focus even though I am shooting while moving quickly. Hence, my version of Antigua Street Photography.
Antigua Street PhotographyI couldn’t believe how well so many of the photos turned out! Granted, I am still trying to compose and look for moments while I am walking. I am just not looking through my camera while I am shooting. So, it’s a bit of intentional shooting, and a bit of luck.

Antigua McDonalds

I also couldn’t resist taking a cruise by the Antigua McDonalds. Everyone kept telling me how beautiful it is, so I had to check it out. Below is a photo of McDonald’s patio where you can enjoy the gardens and fountain while you eat al fresco. Yep, McDonalds don’t look like this where I am from!

Street Photography Antigua

I am a candid, family and event photographer from Chicago, Illinois. Want to see some of my family photojournalism sessions? Click here, here and here.

Interested in checking out my event photography? Click here, here and here.

Stay tuned for the next installment of Susan’s Photo Journal.

Antigua, Guatemala

Susan’s Photo Journal – Antigua Day Two

Antigua – Day Two

I am really enjoying day two in Antigua, Guatemala.

We started our day like every day we will this week, with four hours of one-on-one Spanish language lessons at our school, Tecun Oman.

Ira is working hard at conjugating verbs and pronunciation with Edgar. I am spending my time hammering through the different reasons you use estar and ser (plus lots and lots of vocab) with Catalina.

Antigua, GuatemalaHeading to our “Home” in Antigua

Every day at noon when Spanish lessons end, we walk 15 minutes to our homestay, the home of Doña Maria Lopez.

First, we head to our room to relax for 45 minutes (pushing your brain that hard for four hours of language study is hard!). Ok, I relax for 45 minutes and Ira checks work email.

Antigua, Guatemala

Then, we have an amazing home-cooked meal made by the family cook, Jaunita. As part of our homestay, we receive three meals a day. I can honestly say I have never eaten this well on vacation in my life. Homemade tortillas, soup made from scratch with fresh, organic ingredients, incredible, fresh papaya and pineapple. I wish Jaunita lived in Deerfield and could cook for my family every day too. But then, my children would never move out, so maybe it’s good they are stuck with my culinary skills.

Antigua, Guatemala

Cerro de la Cruz

After our lovely mid-day meal, we head back to our school, Tecun Oman, to go on another free guided tour the school arranges each day.

Today we walked 300 steps up a hill to Cerro de la Cruz, a gorgeous overlook of Antigua with a huge cross.

Sadly, I didn’t shoot too many photos today. The walk was incredible, but I had to keep putting my camera away because it kept raining on and off. Antigua, GuatemalaAntigua, Guatemala

Heading “Home” Again

And then we were off down the hill and through the town to go do our Spanish homework and wait in anticipation for our next amazing meal.Antigua, Guatemala

I am a candid, family and event photographer from Chicago, Illinois. Want to see some of my family photojournalism sessions? Click here, here and here.

Interested in checking out my event photography? Click here, here and here.

Stay tuned for the next installment of Susan’s Photo Journal.